I made this prestige class. It's for a crusader or warblade from the Book of Nine Swords, but I have no idea how to test balance and that sort of stuff. Most of the abilities were taken from other core classes and prestige classes.
The Shieldmate Hit Die: D12
Once a group of bodyguards for travelers that could not defend themselves during long journeys, the Shieldmates have now become small in number and scattered throughout the world. Most have become mercenaries that lend their skills to a cause they find just, but defending the helpless and caring for the oppressed are two sacred duties that every Shieldmate follows. This devotion makes them loyal companions and seemingly fearless combatants. A Shieldmate is proud and is willing to make any sacrifice to keep others from harm even if that sacrifice is his own life.
Class Skills (2+ Int modifier per level): Climb, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Local), Listen, Martial Lore, Ride, Sense Motive, Spot
Entry Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +8
Feats: Weapon Focus (Any), Shieldmate
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Intimidate 8 ranks
Martial Maneuvers: Must know at least one Diamond Mind and one Devoted Spirit Maneuver.
Martial Stances: Must know at least one Diamond Mind or Devoted Spirit Stance.
Maneuvers:
At every odd-numbered level, you gain one ew maneuver known from the Diamond Mind, Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, or White Raven disciplines. You must meet a maneuver's prerequisite to learn it. You add your full Shieldmate levels to your initiator level to determine your total initiator level and your highest maneuvers known.
At 3rd level, 6th level, and 9th level, you gain an additional maneuver readied per day.
Stances Known:
At 5th level, you learn a new martial stance from the Diamond Mind, Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, or White Raven discipline. You must meet a stance's prerequisite to learn it.
Shieldmate's Stance (Ex)
Through constant training in the protection of others over yourself, you have learned the Shieldmate's Stance. While in this stance, you may choose one ally adjacent to you. If that person is targeted by an enemy attack, you may use an immediate action to become the target of the attack instead. You may choose a new ally to benefit from this each round as a swift action as long as they are adjacent to you.
Find the Opening (Ex)
Your focus on protecting your allies allows you to find openings in your opponents defenses when they are not focusing on you. Starting at 1st level, when an enemy that you threaten attacks an ally instead of you, you may make an attack of opportunity. If you hit, you damage the enemy as normal, but he also take a -1 to his attack and damage rolls for the round. This penalty increase to -2 at level 4, -3 at level 7, and -4 at level 10. You may use this ability three times per day.
Weapon Aptitude (Ex)
You qualify for feats that usually require a minimum number of fighter levels (such as Weapon specialization) as if you had fighter level equal to your levels in this class.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Ex)
You yell out a challenge to everyone within ear shot, and your enemies find it hard not to accept the challenge. Even enemies that do not understand you can hear the threat in your voice. Starting at 3rd level, once per encounter, you let out a verbal challenge to your opponents. Each opponent in a radius of 100 ft with an intelligence score of at least 5 must make a Will save (DC 10 + Class Level + Charisma) or be forced to focus their attacks on you. This does not place them into a mindless rage, however. They may attack you by any means available to them at the time, and if the path to you is obstructed, they may attack your allies instead. If anyone other than you damages them, the effect ends for that target.
Dual Stance (Ex)
Starting at 5th level, while you are in Shieldmate's Stance, you can receive the benefits of a second stance that you know.
Group Attack (Ex)
You've learned that a good offense can help your defense. With a swing of your weapon, you throw your opponent off balance. At 8th level, as a full round action, you can make a single melee attack against an enemy. If that attack hits, each of your allies threatening his square may make an attack of opportunity.
I Saw That Coming (Su)
Your mind is so focused on keeping your companions safe, that you have developed a sixth sense toward danger. Starting at 10th level, you may designate up to one ally per class level to be affected as if you had cast Foresight on them. You may designate yourself as well, but you do not gain the bonuses to AC or reflex. You must still be able to communicate the danger to your companions for them to receive the benefit, and if you cannot do this, the ability has no affect. You may change your designated allies as a swift action.
The Shieldmate Hit Die: D12
Once a group of bodyguards for travelers that could not defend themselves during long journeys, the Shieldmates have now become small in number and scattered throughout the world. Most have become mercenaries that lend their skills to a cause they find just, but defending the helpless and caring for the oppressed are two sacred duties that every Shieldmate follows. This devotion makes them loyal companions and seemingly fearless combatants. A Shieldmate is proud and is willing to make any sacrifice to keep others from harm even if that sacrifice is his own life.
Class Skills (2+ Int modifier per level): Climb, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Local), Listen, Martial Lore, Ride, Sense Motive, Spot
Entry Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +8
Feats: Weapon Focus (Any), Shieldmate
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Intimidate 8 ranks
Martial Maneuvers: Must know at least one Diamond Mind and one Devoted Spirit Maneuver.
Martial Stances: Must know at least one Diamond Mind or Devoted Spirit Stance.
Maneuvers:
At every odd-numbered level, you gain one ew maneuver known from the Diamond Mind, Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, or White Raven disciplines. You must meet a maneuver's prerequisite to learn it. You add your full Shieldmate levels to your initiator level to determine your total initiator level and your highest maneuvers known.
At 3rd level, 6th level, and 9th level, you gain an additional maneuver readied per day.
Stances Known:
At 5th level, you learn a new martial stance from the Diamond Mind, Devoted Spirit, Stone Dragon, or White Raven discipline. You must meet a stance's prerequisite to learn it.
Shieldmate's Stance (Ex)
Through constant training in the protection of others over yourself, you have learned the Shieldmate's Stance. While in this stance, you may choose one ally adjacent to you. If that person is targeted by an enemy attack, you may use an immediate action to become the target of the attack instead. You may choose a new ally to benefit from this each round as a swift action as long as they are adjacent to you.
Find the Opening (Ex)
Your focus on protecting your allies allows you to find openings in your opponents defenses when they are not focusing on you. Starting at 1st level, when an enemy that you threaten attacks an ally instead of you, you may make an attack of opportunity. If you hit, you damage the enemy as normal, but he also take a -1 to his attack and damage rolls for the round. This penalty increase to -2 at level 4, -3 at level 7, and -4 at level 10. You may use this ability three times per day.
Weapon Aptitude (Ex)
You qualify for feats that usually require a minimum number of fighter levels (such as Weapon specialization) as if you had fighter level equal to your levels in this class.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Ex)
You yell out a challenge to everyone within ear shot, and your enemies find it hard not to accept the challenge. Even enemies that do not understand you can hear the threat in your voice. Starting at 3rd level, once per encounter, you let out a verbal challenge to your opponents. Each opponent in a radius of 100 ft with an intelligence score of at least 5 must make a Will save (DC 10 + Class Level + Charisma) or be forced to focus their attacks on you. This does not place them into a mindless rage, however. They may attack you by any means available to them at the time, and if the path to you is obstructed, they may attack your allies instead. If anyone other than you damages them, the effect ends for that target.
Dual Stance (Ex)
Starting at 5th level, while you are in Shieldmate's Stance, you can receive the benefits of a second stance that you know.
Group Attack (Ex)
You've learned that a good offense can help your defense. With a swing of your weapon, you throw your opponent off balance. At 8th level, as a full round action, you can make a single melee attack against an enemy. If that attack hits, each of your allies threatening his square may make an attack of opportunity.
I Saw That Coming (Su)
Your mind is so focused on keeping your companions safe, that you have developed a sixth sense toward danger. Starting at 10th level, you may designate up to one ally per class level to be affected as if you had cast Foresight on them. You may designate yourself as well, but you do not gain the bonuses to AC or reflex. You must still be able to communicate the danger to your companions for them to receive the benefit, and if you cannot do this, the ability has no affect. You may change your designated allies as a swift action.
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